Iran lets Chinese ships pass through Hormuz
The Iranian Tasnim agency announced that Iran’s naval forces had authorized the passage of “several ships” through the Strait of Hormuz since the day before. “Following a decision by the Islamic Republic, several Chinese ships were allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz under transit protocols managed by Iran,” the agency reports.
Iran accuses the United Arab Emirates of being an “active partner” in the war
Iran’s foreign minister has accused the United Arab Emirates of playing an “active” role alongside the United States and Israel in the war against Iran. “The United Arab Emirates is an active partner in aggression (against Iran), there is no doubt about it,” Abbas Araghchi said at the Brics summit in India. “It is now clear that they participated in these attacks, perhaps even that they acted directly against us.”
He also referred to a meeting, described as “secret” by Israel, between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the President of the Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and which Abu Dhabi denies was held.
Oil delays, suspended on declarations from the Trump-Xi meeting
The oil market remains relatively calm, still supported by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, but scrutinizing the meeting in China between Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping who notably discussed the conflict in the Middle East. Around 11:35 a.m. French time, the price of a barrel of Brent from the North Sea, for delivery in July, rose 0.67% to $106.34. Its American equivalent, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate, for delivery in June, gained 0.53% to 101.56 dollars.
Meeting of Brics diplomats, the Middle East and energy on the program
India warned, at the opening of the meeting of Brics foreign ministers, including those of Iran and Russia, against “considerable instability” caused by the war in the Middle East.
Several civilians injured in Israel after drone attack
A drone attack by the pro-Iranian movement Hezbollah injured several civilians in northern Israel, the Israeli army announced. “An explosive drone launched by the terrorist organization Hezbollah fell on Israeli territory, near the Israeli-Lebanese border,” the army said. “Several Israeli civilians were injured and evacuated to hospital for treatment.”
Trump and Xi agree on Hormuz
American President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping expressed during their summit in Beijing their convergence of views on the fact that the Strait of Hormuz should “remain open”, indicated the White House. “Both parties agreed that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open in order to guarantee the free movement of energy products,” added the same source.
According to the American government, during this summit, Donald Trump intends to put pressure so that Beijing – Iran’s key strategic and economic partner and the main country importing its oil – uses its influence with a view to resolving the crisis in the Gulf.
New Israeli strikes against Hezbollah
The Israeli army announced that it had launched a new wave of strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon and ordered the evacuation of around ten villages in the south of the country, while Israeli and Lebanese negotiators are due to meet in Washington at the end of the day. Clashes continued almost daily between Israel and pro-Iranian Hezbollah despite the ceasefire that came into force in mid-April, and which expires in a few days.
